Yassamin Ansari

Mr. Speaker, this week, Donald Trump attacked communities across the country that are raising concerns about the proliferation of gigantic, power-hungry data centers. He called them backwards and poor.

According to the President, Americans should welcome data centers without question if they want to become ``successful and rich.'' His exact declaration was: ``Let data reign.''

That is a wildly out-of-touch response to Americans who are worried about their electricity bills, their water supply, and the future of their communities, all of which are being made dramatically worse by this administration.

I represent Phoenix, Arizona, the Nation's fifth largest city, and we don't need any more data centers in our communities right now. We are already on the front lines of a severe and historic water crisis. The Trump administration just slashed our Colorado River water allocation by nearly 30 percent.

Meanwhile, a single data center can consume tens if not hundreds of millions of gallons of water every year. If every currently planned project in the Phoenix area is built, data center water demand could increase by more than 450 percent.

It is extremely alarming, and my constituents are right to express their concerns on how our government allocates its resources, including by providing immense tax breaks to ultra-rich AI and data center companies.

Our electricity grid is also under enormous strain. Arizona families are facing higher utility bills, most especially as a result of Trump's illegal war in Iran, all while data centers demand staggering amounts of energy. Research has found that these facilities can make surrounding neighborhoods as much as four degrees hotter, in a city like Phoenix where extreme heat already kills people.

These are not irrational concerns. Even Vice President JD Vance admitted that 99 percent--his words--of the backlash against data centers is happening in places where they are driving up utility bills.

Protecting Arizona's water is not backwards. Keeping electricity affordable enough for seniors to turn their air conditioners on during the summer is not poor, and allowing the wealthiest companies on the planet to consume our water and power while working families absorb the cost is not progress.

But here is the real reason that Donald Trump is so eager to tell communities to stop pushing back against data centers: Donald Trump is the sole beneficiary of a trust holding nearly 115 million shares of Trump Media. Trump Media is pursuing a pending $6 billion merger with TAE Technologies, an energy company that explicitly markets its technology for AI data center expansion.

In other words, the President himself has an enormous financial interest in a company positioning itself to benefit from the growth of the data center energy market. He is once again using his Presidency to enrich himself and his family.

That creates a glaring conflict of interest when it comes to Trump using the power and platform of the Presidency to attack communities resisting the construction of new data centers.

Americans deserve to know whether he is speaking for the public interest or promoting his own investment portfolio.

I support Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes' call for a statewide pause. Arizona should not approve another massive data center until we have a comprehensive plan to protect our water, our electrical grid, and Arizona ratepayers.

Congress also needs to investigate the President's conflict of interest and demand full transparency about how financial holdings intersect with his administration's data center and energy policies.

We can believe in American innovation without handing Big Tech a blank check on our water supply and electricity bills. Arizonans are not backward and poor. We are tired of being told to sacrifice more so that billionaires and the President himself can become richer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th anniversary of Los Abogados, Arizona's Hispanic Bar Association.

Founded in 1976 by Latino lawyers and law students, Los Abogados has spent five decades building community, creating opportunities, and advancing the interests of Arizona's Latino communities within the legal profession and beyond.

Today, Latinos comprise only approximately 2.5 to 3 percent of licensed attorneys in the United States. Through programming, mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement, Los Abogados works to address the systemic and cultural barriers that Latinos continue to encounter throughout their legal careers.

For 50 years, Los Abogados has remained steadfast in its commitment to diversity and inclusion, advocacy, and education. The Hispanic Bar Association actively promotes diversity within Arizona's legal and judicial professions. Supporting Latino lawyers and expanding their representation is essential to narrowing the significant representation gap and ensuring that our legal system better reflects the communities it serves.

Los Abogados' Civil Rights Committee supports the equitable and just application of civil rights, advocating for Arizona's Latino communities. The committee organizes ``Continuing Legal Education'' seminars to update legal professionals about current voting rights, civic engagement, and racial profiling positions. Additionally, Los Abogados hosts citizenship fairs, providing essential immigration resources and assistance to Arizonans.

As we commemorate this important milestone, we recognize Los Abogados for 50 years of service, advocacy, and leadership. I congratulate its members, past and present, and commend their enduring commitment to strengthening Arizona's legal community and ensuring greater access, representation, and opportunity for all.

On behalf of the United States Congress, I extend my deepest gratitude and congratulations to Los Abogados on their 50th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tony F. Soza/Ray Martinez American Legion Post 41, a pillar of service, patriotism, and community leadership in Arizona. For generations, Post 41 has exemplified the values of duty, sacrifice, and civic engagement, ensuring that the men and women who have worn our Nation's uniform continue to receive the support, respect, and fellowship they have earned.

American Legion Post 41 has long served as more than a gathering place for veterans, it has been a cornerstone of the community. Through advocacy, mentorship, commemorative events, youth engagement, and support for veterans and their families, the Post has strengthened the bonds between those who have served and the communities they call home. Its members have demonstrated that military service does not end with the completion of a tour of duty, but continues through a lifelong commitment to serving others.

As we honor Post 41, we also recognize the enduring contributions of Latino veterans, whose courage and dedication have helped shape the history of Arizona and the United States. From the battlefields of World War II to today's all-volunteer force, Latino servicemembers have answered our Nation's call with distinction, often overcoming barriers while serving with extraordinary valor. Their service has strengthened our Armed Forces and enriched our communities through leadership, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our shared democratic values.

Arizona is home to a proud and vibrant Latino veteran community whose members continue to lead as entrepreneurs, educators, public servants, first responders, and mentors. Their legacy extends well beyond military service, inspiring future generations to embrace lives of service and civic responsibility. Organizations such as American Legion Post 41 play an essential role in preserving that legacy by providing a welcoming space where veterans can find camaraderie, advocacy, and opportunities to continue making a difference.

The work of American Legion Post 41 reminds us that supporting our veterans is not merely an obligation, it reflects our Nation's highest ideals. Through its dedication to honoring those who served, promoting patriotism, and strengthening the community, the Post has made an enduring impact on Arizona and has helped ensure that the sacrifices of our veterans are never forgotten.

It is therefore my distinct honor to recognize Tony F. Soza/Ray Martinez American Legion Post 41 for its outstanding service to veterans, its steadfast commitment to the people of Arizona, and its role in uplifting the legacy of Latino veterans across our state and throughout our Nation. On behalf of the people of Arizona's 3rd Congressional District and a grateful Nation, I extend my sincere appreciation and best wishes for many more years of continued service and success.